#Doubleback

[velkyr]

oh my god this play felt SO good

get birded, feng min <3

I also got my 'ok at artist' achieve finally in this match 🎉

[queenimmadolla]

For the blurb prompt Eddie Munson Tickle/playful Fluff

𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤!𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬

“Say it!” Eddie demanded, grin nearly maniacal as he cackled.

You shook your head, voice singing with your own laughter–though yours sounded more urgent and hysterical–as you squirmed underneath Eddie, desperate to escape. You were flat on his bed, trapped by his thighs on either side of your hips and he pinned down various parts of your body every time you fought against his hold. 

What had started out as a hang out day, days that had grown frequent in the few months since you’d known Eddie, ended with the two of you lounging around his room. You’d been going through his things, commenting on every item you’d picked up when your fingertips felt the tell tale sign of a glossy magazine cover under his bed. 

It had been a raunchy one, the cover depicting a woman’s large breasts pressed up against a wet glass shower door. And the cover had been glossy, but its pages had been crunchy.

Eddie had immediately demanded it, so naturally, you’d gotten up and ran. He’d chased you around and around the trailer until he finally tackled and pinned you to the bed when you’d tried to doubleback.

Then you’d called him a name. 

Eddie had no choice but to tickle you into submission as he goaded you to take it back. He stopped only for a moment to allow you to breathe. 

“This can all be over, all resolved if you just take it back.”

Your breaths were heavy and laced with giggles as your chest heaved, face hot from how hard you’d been laughing, then you leaned your upper body up towards him a little and stated in defiance, “No.”

“You asked for it,” he shrugged, teeth gleaming and eyes crinkling with glee. His fingers were back on your sides in a matter of seconds and you were shrieking with laughter once more.

“OKAY! OKAY! Stooop, I’m gonna pee!” You laughed out and Eddie snickered, fingers pausing their assault.

He leaned down until you were almost nose to nose, “Say it.”

You bit your lip as you stared back up at him through lidded eyes. Eddie could see the mischief in them and his heart skipped a beat.

“It.”

You let out another shriek of laughter as Eddie’s fingers dug gently into your sides, ready to continue his tickle attack, “Okay, okay! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

“Say ‘Eddie is not a jizz bandit.’”

Your eyes squeezed shut as the both of you laughed at your earlier insult.

When you started laughing a little too hard at it again, he gently shook your shoulders to bring you back.

“Okayyyyuh!!! You’re not a jizz bandit, now get off of me! I have to go to the bathroom now.”

Eddie was still chuckling as he moved off of you, allowing you to rise. 

“You just wanted to manhandle me,” you pouted, shooting him a playful look before you ducked out of his room to use the bathroom.

Eddie watched you go, then collapsed back onto his bedding with a sigh, eyes fluttering shut with a small groan.

“You have no idea.”

[arumidden]

Marty’s Music

Since @mjf-af asked what music Marty listens to a while back, and today’s prompt is “On The Radio,” I thought I would share the list I had made of all the music Marty canonically likes.

First of all, Huey Lewis and the News, obviously. The Pinheads audition with a hard rock version of The Power of Love, and Marty has a poster of the Sports album in his room.

Also in Marty’s room is a poster for the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album along After Dark (this one may be cheating since it’s only seen in a deleted scene but I’m including it anyway)

At Twin Pines Mall, Marty asks Doc if he’s wearing a Devo suit. It’s hard to hear and Doc somewhat talks over Marty (“Nevermind that now, never mind that now”), but it’s written in the novelization as well.

Next is all the guitarists Marty mimics during his Johnny B Goode solo. Chuck Berry’s duckwalk

The windmill by Pete Townshend from The Who

The “tapping” technique by Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen

Jimi Hendrix’s playing behind the head

and the on-the-floor moves of Angus Young from AC/DC.

Marty must really love Van Halen, since he also has the cassette of Eddie Van Halen (which makes me wonder just how many cassettes Marty carried on him at all times, since it’s not like he had the ability to go forward in time to grab any others)

In the third movie, when Marty moonwalks after Mad Dog tells him to dance, you can hear Marty quietly muttering the lyrics to Billie Jean by Michael Jackson

Marty and Doc specifically mention that they like the band playing at the Clocktower festival, which is just ZZ Top playing a country version of Doubleback

Finally, beyond the movies! There’s a line in the musical when Marty advises George to “swagger like McJagger of the Stones.”

In the game, when examining all the contraband of Citizen Valley, Marty mentions Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Phil Collins as bands he likes.

Finally, in the comics, it’s revealed that Marty’s band, the Pinheads, are named after the Ramones song “Pinhead.”

… and I believe that’s it. We actually know a ton of the music Marty likes. I gotta say, he’s got great taste!

[lightningandfireinmybones]

flames, chosen (blood of the dragon): Aemond Targaryen Prompt

Prompt from @elysesium: saucy dragonmont adventures + dragons watching (18+ ONLY)

Aemond Targaryen/ Targaryen OC (not necessary to read, but OC from ‘the death of peace of mind’ by idkmanokay)

Words: 2424

Content: exhibitionism, rough oral, inappropriate use of dragonbonds

“Is the blindfold really necessary?” Valaena complains, still shivering deep in her furs. Even through the layers and layers of clothing, from the woolen smallclothes to the riding leathers to the heavy overgown to the fur coat, the frigid bite of the Winterfell still seems to chase her south. The warmth of Vhagar beneath her did nothing against the bitter northern winds. Without her sight, hidden by the thick band of leather her husband had produced, she feels the cold deeper, harsher, the sting of the wind on her cheeks.

Behind her, arms firm around her waist, Aemond laughs. The sound is deep and fierce, the kind of carefree laugh she is rarely treated to with company. Here, high above the kingdom in a world of clouds and wind and rain, it is a gift given freely. She feels it in her back, her heart, her chest, the laughter shaking both of them. 

“You’re too impatient, wife. The blindfold is necessary because how else am I to surprise you?” Aemond’s mouth is close to her, just shy of letting his lips touch the shell of her ear. It sends fresh goosebumps down her spine. 

Valaena pouts but burrows deeper into him. “I don’t think you’re trying to surprise me, I think you’re trying to punish me.”

“Why can’t it be both?” 

“What am I supposed to say when our host asks me to dance besides ‘of course, thank you, my Lord?’”

“Your answer should always be that you’re already promised to dance with me. Your husband. The king. I shall have all your dances. The only hands and eyes I want on you are mine.”

“Aemond-” Valaena starts, but is interrupted as he suddenly instructs Vhagar to dive. Experience keeps her steady, hands on the saddle where Aemond had placed them as he’d put the blindfold on. The wind steals the words away and she hopes her hair is flying back into Aemond’s face.

The second the massive dragon has settled on land, she marks how much warmer it is already wherever they are. Not that it is particularly warm at all, but markedly better than Winterfell or the sky had been. Her hands twitch towards her blindfold, but Aemond’s hands are on her waist, already pulling her into his arms, off dragonback.

She doesn’t even have the chance to feel the ground beneath her feet as Aemond carries her smoothly, no hint of where they are. Seagulls cry overhead, the breeze whistling through grass, but no other clues offer any hint as to their location. He’d been sure to fly Vhagar in random patterns and she was certain they’d doublebacked at least twice.

“Where are we?” She demands, hands instinctively wrapping around his neck. For a moment, she contemplates strangling him.

As if he’d heard her errant thought, Aemond pretends to drop her. Somehow, that is worse than the sudden skydive on Vhagar.

“We are somewhere much warmer than Winterfell and very far away from Cregan fucking Stark. Now, be good and wait for the surprise, hm?” Aemond’s voice echoes near the end and Valaena can feel the temperature gradually rising the further he walks. It soothes her ache from her bones, the scowl from her face until she can just lean into Aemond and enjoy the moment. 

Heat swells around them, permeating through all her layers. With it comes the scent of sulfur, of sea and salt and home. Cries and roars, vicious and familiar, get louder with every step. Movement from above, from every side of them, many huge things displacing the air, sending echoes back down to them.

Gently, Aemond sets her on her feet. Through her boots, she feels pebbles, the uneven surface she’s standing on hot through the soles. When Aemond moves next to her, she hears the crack of what sounds like a bone. The cries are louder here, the heat sweltering. She hears the rustle of cloth, pebbles being brushed aside. 

It feels like they’re being watched and judged. The scent of blood and ash and fire linger in the air. 

“Strip,” Aemond commands in Valyrian, just loud enough to hear him over the movement and the cries of their audience.

“In front of-?”

“Strip,” his voice lowers. “I won’t ask again.”

With shaking hands, Valaena obeys. First, her gloves, leather haphazardly thrown to the ground. Her fur coat hits the floor, followed by the onerous and warm gown. When she has trouble unlacing her leathers, Aemond takes over, hands sure and steady as he tugs the protective layer away from her skin. He peels it away achingly slow and she feels every second, every inch of exposed skin. The weight of the eyes gets stronger, the flurry of movement around them slowing. She wants more, wants his hands and his mouth on her, but he is careful to just remove her clothes, avoiding all contact with her burning skin.

When she’s down to just her smallclothes, Aemond steps away, a silent order to continue on her own. A spurt of heat to her left nearly makes her jump, the memory of a long ago burn radiating through her hip, but she still slides the chemise down her hips. The warmth of the chamber has made its way inside of her, the growing silence of the room heating her from the inside out. When the wool chemise falls past her thighs, pooling at her feet, Valaena feels the want and excitement between her thighs, a fire lit in her belly. 

She is naked and she is vulnerable and she wants. 

“Good,” Aemond praises in Valyrian. In reward, his hands finally touch her the way she is craving, fingertips brushing over her neck, her breasts, her stomach. They trace agonizing patterns over her skin, always skimming but never consuming the way she wants to be consumed. They trail down her thighs, lightning quick where she needs him, roughly kneading the roundness of her rear before pulling away just as fast. There’s a whiff of cedar among the sulfur, then the sharp pleasure of his mouth on her breasts, all teeth and tongue before he kisses his way up her chest, biting vows into her jaw before the ghost of his lips tease the corner of her mouth.

As he pulls away, she feels like the whole room holds its breath.

“Please,” Valaena whimpers, the word escaping before she can claw it back.

“Do you know where we are?” Aemond whispers with a cruel twist of her nipples.

“Yes,” she breathes, honesty spilling out.

“Where?”

“The Dragonmont.”

She feels Aemond step closer, another heat to make her skin buzz and crawl with anticipation. When his hands settle on her hips, they squeeze and grip like they are there to stay. 

“And can you feel them watching you? Can you feel their eyes on you?” He nearly croons in her ear, dragging her close until her breasts are crushed to his bare chest and she can feel that he is as naked as she is.

She can. She can feel the power and the might of the dragons, the last vestiges of Old Valyria staring down at her. With the blindfold on, it feels like a trial, like a test she must pass. They are weighing and measuring her and she desperately wants to please them.

Wants to please Aemond.

“Yes, Kepus,” Valaena murmurs.

“Are you going to give them a show? Are you going to honor our ancestors here, in the place where dragons gather?” Aemond’s voice is silk, the press of his erection into her stomach a promise.

“Yes, Kepus,” she repeats.

“Good girl. Now get on your knees.”

Valaena drops so fast she can feel the impact of the ground through the combined layers of what feels like both their clothes, all the fur they’d needed in the North to stay warm. Here, they only need each other, the blood of the dragons in their veins.

“Open your mouth,” Aemond orders, and she does, going so far as to stick her tongue out at him. She can’t see him, but she knows he’s shaking his head at her impertinence, can hear it in the sigh that escapes his lips.

The head of his cock nudges past her lips, thick and salty on her tongue. The feeling of being watched, of being judged and analyzed makes her want to take Aemond apart. She wants to prove that she is a dragon, too. 

Gripping the base of his cock with her hands, Valaena slides her mouth down Aemond, taking him as deep as she can. Once she gags, she pushes further, the thickness of him pushing down her throat. Aemond hisses, gripping her hair in his hands, tugging as she takes him deeper and deeper. An echoing hiss goes around the chamber, little heat lighting up her skin as flames fill the room.

Tightening his grip on her hair, Aemond pulls out of her mouth until the tip is nudging at her lips. Without a word, he thrusts back in, tears springing to her eyes as he fucks her mouth with abandon. Carefully, Valaena breathes through her nose and revels in the power of having him like this, the way his thighs flex under her hands when she lets him have his way with her. Little groans and growls escape his lips as he uses her, as she takes and takes until her nose is brushing at the curls on his pelvis. It feels heavy, powerful, like she’s doing something right, praise and curses spilling down to her. 

The ache between her thighs worsens, the emptiness only he can fill. He is unraveling under her hands and mouth, but she cannot see.

Tears are trailing down her cheeks, the size of him nearly too much, but she can’t fail.

Not when they’re being watched, weighed against the blood of Old Valyria. Only when she cups his balls, gently massaging as he pounds into her mouth, does Aemond relent.

With a wet ‘pop’ as he pulls her mouth away, Aemond gently brushes away the tears slipping down her cheeks.

“So good, Sweet Girl, so good for me,” he praises, voice closer this time.

He is kneeling now too, gently laying her back on their pile of clothes. The fur tickles at her back, sweat now dripping down her spine at the heat of the Dragonmount and the heat of eyes on her. 

“Can I please see you now, Kepus?” Valaena begs.

Aemond shushes her, a soft kiss pressed against her mouth.

“Not yet. Can you keep it on a little longer, Sweet Girl?” In tandem with his words, he brushes his hands through her aching folds, gathering the wetness between his fingers.

“Yes,” Valaena pants, hips bucking up to meet his exploratory hand.

Tenderly, gently, like he hadn’t just been fucking her mouth, Aemond brushes a wet fingertip against her lips, spreading the slick around. 

“You’re soaking, darling. Is that from being watched? Does my little whore like performing for an audience, hm?” Aemond taunts, pressing one finger between her lips until she can taste the metal of his ring mixing with the tangy sweetness of her own wetness.

Unable to lie, unable to resist him, she chokes out a strangled ‘yes.’ As a reward, Aemond stops teasing, circling her clit the way she wants him to, two fingers spearing inside of her. 

The fire inside of her burns hotter, wilder. She fears flames may lick down her skin in tandem with Aemond’s tongue on her breasts. The beasts watching them shudder, flaps of wings and hisses of flame piercing the humid air. 

A wildfire rages inside of her, one she is powerless to fight against. When Aemond slips a third finger inside of her, curling and stretching her until he hits that spot that has her back arching, she turns to nothing but ash and pleasure.

“That’s it, my sweet girl. Come for me. Come for us.”

The dragons cry out with her as she comes, loud and unafraid in the darkness, stars bursting across her eyes.

Shudders are still wracking her body as Aemond looms over her, the press of his cock insistent between her thighs. He pushes inside of her like she was made for him, a cosmic joining of souls and bodies.

It is pain and pleasure, no slow build up. He slams inside of her and she is afraid sparks dance off her skin. The world threatens to burn away to nothing but the feel of him inside of her, the press of his hand on her belly where he must bulge out of her. 

“Taking me so well,” Aemond praises, looping her hands above her head as he rocks into her. “This cunt was made for me, made for kings.”

Garbled Valyrian falls from her lips, meaningless but for the way he makes her feel, the way the mightiest powers in the world have stopped to watch them. Valaena can feel the pressure building again, an unstoppable force of flame and will and pleasure. Aemond can feel it too, the tightening of her walls insistent around his cock. 

Aemond takes his hand from her belly, rubs her clit with fervor. He pulls out, teasingly rubbing the head of his cock at her swollen lips. “Are you going to come again? Can you come again for me, Sweet Girl?”

Valaena can only moan in response, bracketing his hips with her legs, tightening her heels at the small of his back as she pushes him back inside of her harder. He growls, a near animalistic sound echoed through the chamber.

“Be a good little dragon and come for us,” Aemond bites at her neck, the sharpness of his teeth a jarring contrast to the silken lust of his voice. 

Somewhere far above them, a dragon roars, heat billowing through the chamber. 

Valaena comes with a cry, fingernails scratching down Aemond’s back as he comes with her, filling her with a warmth that makes the North but a distant dream. The world fragments, engulfed in flames that sparkle violet, lavender, and silver. Her back bows and her cunt clenches, nipples pebbling against Aemond’s chest as he collapses against her.

Time loses meaning. There is only the press of Aemond on top of her, the slow leak of his seed from between her thighs, the weight of their ancient audience.

She doesn’t have to see to know they have pleased them and have passed the test.

They are Targaryens and they are the blood of the dragon.

[erostheartist]

**'first' not 'fist' XD someone get the astroglide.

[ineffablejaymee]

holy fucking shit that date DID NOT GO AS PLANNED

i had to doubleback what the fuck maxine im

it was an amazing scene with the song ending abruptly and them just sitting in what she said

AND "why are you ruining this jenny?" GIRL NO

no shit she was uncomfortable what the fuck was that

haha WHAT THE FUCK

[wowjfkewkndcm]

Pittsburgh was awesome and obvi we won 1st in the 5th division‼️‼️ Can’t wait for next year’s topic or to get my hand on the binder.

[themarvelhorse]

EftD Chapter 11 – The Devil in Canterlot High Part 1

I’d just like to say. What the fuck.

Also, this commentary in particular had me doublebacking a lot, so I’m doing it acknowledging that I know the Chapter's end. Also I’m remembering so many actual terms for the literary devices used but alas, I’ll leave the accuracy be for the time being. Also I decided to break this one up so it’s not the tumblr equivalent of 17 Word Doc pages in a row.

Sunset Shimmer shivered from head to toe and couldn’t hide it even if she tried. And she tried. If she could at all avoid her friends seeing her like this, she would. It came in spasmodic spurts, with only seconds of control in between, starting from her legs or arms and rocking up to her core. She took in shallow, longing-to-be-deep breaths to steady herself, but, as if to rebel against her, her body didn’t listen.

First off, great start really sets the mood for the rest of the time Sunset’s going to be here. Absolutely dead-on with how it goes. The start and end of this chapter is mirrored. It’s right there in the title card. The big twist, I just didn’t see it. Even more obvious since we haven’t been seeing Sunset without something filtering her true feelings and self! But now, right there with that paragraph and the end of that first sentence – her body is rebelling against her, it didn’t listen. It can’t listen because it’s under Sombra’s control. Or soon will be.

It made her love them for trying—seriously, on a level she’d only thought possible recently—

AH!

Time spent with her favourite boys - even in totally-not-really-therapy-wink-wink - is working!

“... and I guess, I dunno, I just want to help so bad…”

GOODEST OF BOYS

He’s good. I think we’ll finally have this solved.”

I initially read this as “He’s good at being a therapist”, but I also like seeing how it could be interpreted as “He’s just genuinely a good guy”, which he is!

Flash stared at her for a second, the reels rewinding in his head almost so viscerally she could hear the sputtered squeal, and then he smiled. “Oh. I got third. They stumped me on the word castling because I thought it had an e in there somewhere, but I was super proud I could be so brave. My dad took me out for ice cream afterwards.”

A cutie mark origin story if there was one for this Flash! And just another thing to note. Even though Sunset genuinely seems cold, it’s also symbolic of her fear.

Sometimes the Princess would even let her sit on the throne.

;~;

Flash took that as a permission slip to start monologuing aloud about tactical breathing: in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4. Of course, the music nerd in him counted it out like a 2/4 time signature. He even performed a demonstration of what that might look like, breathing to a beat of his own making.

Ngl, a while back I started reading this chapter. Then some shit happened, and I had to drive alone for 2 hours. It was a very emotional drive, and my adrenaline had me much more awake than I needed, but my mind came back to this bit. Kept me calm and kept my driving safe. Thank you for this <3.

Sunset let him. She thought she’d managed this breathing thing pretty well on her own all these years, she didn’t need a How to Guide. While the shakes didn’t stop entirely, she managed to calm them down to a level she hoped wouldn’t be perceptible.

I’m glad Sunset did let him, instead of saying to his face that she didn’t need a how-to guide. They both sorta understand each other in this way. Flash literally just said he wants to help so bad, but Sunset also didn’t want to be perceived as not being okay. Much more didn’t want anyone to say it out loud. So, he’s helping by telling her how to breathe when you have nerves but not pointing out directly that she seems nervous. Saying things out loud just hits so much harder. Guess that’s part of the point of therapy!

The door hung open after her like the toothy maw of a basilisk salivating strands of venom and ready to devour a fresh victim whole.

Speaking of perception… she’s really not perceiving this as a good thing lol. Cold shaking, shaking in fear like a helpless little mouse. And an actual mouse. NOT a ‘Tiny Vermin’. There’s a reason that boss is up a level after the Bone Hydra.

And Sunset would have been happy to continue staring off into the middle-distance, unreachable, but then, Timber Spruce slapped his hands on his knees, got up from his chair, and said, ���You know what? Why not? Let’s get magical. I’ve got a few things to say.”

Sunset looked up then to see Timber send her a tired smirk before disappearing.

Absolute shocker. And absolutely love the way Timber went about this. Sometimes you just gotta dive right into the deep end to get used to the water. And of course, seeing all your friends jump in and then come out fine and in a good mood and the like, and you’re all that more likely to cave to the pressure. Timber especially so since he likes to also feel part of the Rainbooms.

“Would you jump into the mouth of a basilisk if all your friends did?”

“Well, if they got out and the basilisk spit did wonders for their general complexion and confidence, then yeah I guess I would.”

What would he say about her in there? What were they talking about? Closing the portal won’t take long. Ray and Scruffles need me to bring them, I’d have to get them first. If I close the portal, is that it? Could anyone open it again? Would the connection be severed? Would the crack in the sky disappear? What happens here when it’s gone?

She’s still on that?! Not even her girlfriend could convince her otherwise?!

Sunset knew with a cold certainty from her lectures and studies on the Roots of Magic that there was always a source. An origin, a cause.

I do not like that this certainty in particular is cold. Especially not with all the other ‘cold’ things going on. Also, I bet the origin is that damn horse statue in front of City Hall!

…(similar to the human economy, Sunset Shimmer understood little to nothing of human geography—and now she likely never would) ...

As a human geographer who also happens to be human, I find this very humourous. I do NOT recommend searching what I mean, it’s a rabbit hole of confusion and questioning as to geography’s place in academia (but fuck almost all of those Ivy League Universities, you know what university DOES include Geography among one of its VERY FEW master’s and doctorate programs? THE UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY! Guess actually helping people across the world through an interdisciplinary approach towards natural disasters under a changing climate isn't top of mind for them. Yes I'm bitter.)

Also would be funny if Sunset pursued geography as a result of going to NR (which apparently was important to military officer training in WW2).

This also makes the idea of “significant places of sorcery and love” especially interesting to me as a human geographer. We look into the human relationship with space, which we end up calling “place’. We assign value to it when we have this relationship, including emotional value. But these places can have different identities and values depending on the who its relating to.

What goes into those places of sorcery and love? If we think back to the Perfect Pear in the pony episodes, that is an example of assigning emotional value to a place. A place of love, where sorcery emerged, where these powerful interactions of two lovers, forbidden to be with each other but still so committed to being there anyway that they develop a place that was unique to them. But is there any place we’ve seen that could be classified as such in the human realm? Nightfall Reach certainly seems old, perhaps old enough to be classified so. And with Friendship being a core tenet, maybe there’s something there.

There’s likely something around Canterlot High, and that statue. Clearly the statue itself is imbued with magic. But did anything with strong enough love or sorcery exist in that space before the school did? Did it have to? So many relationships made, broken, by so many students coming in and out of that place, connected to a mirror. What other value might have been assigned here, and by whom?

In a small, cold place, she almost found herself excited for them. You go, girls. You’re going to be amazing.

OOF

She didn’t so much as say a word to her girlfriend or Flash before Timber appeared in front of her, hand outstretched.

Damn, I can’t even imagine what Twilight must be thinking after all that. It’s even worse knowing the first conversation after this will be through Sombra.

Sunset flinched and looked to her girlfriend, who sat beside her and, at some point, had taken Sunset’s hand, maybe to steady it. The little circles she revolved with her thumb stopped short.

Awwwwww!

Well she didn’t really mention much of the shakes since around the time Twilight came out, save for when Timber went in.

Solstice emerged from the office and his eyes billowed a ghastly gas-like steam. The crackle of it startled Flash in particular who ripped out of his seat, but neither Twilight nor Timber reacted.

Okay so, a bit of a development! Totally not at all concerning. Also totally not concerning that Twi and Tim are not concerned. sweats

Solstice waited for her like the ferryman at the perilous banks of the River Styx, lantern and steady smile at the ready.

Mouth of Styx starts playing

Sunset walking into hell, to face Hades himself.

Heart walloping against the confines of her ribcage, Sunset had to admit comfortable sounded so nice. Trying to stabilize one of her clammy hands with its partner, she nodded, mumbling, “Yeah, okay. Sure.”

Wow, really missing Twi’s hand, huh?

That made him smile, teeth pale like a full-moon in the shadow of night. Combined with his still demonically slitted eyes, Sunset fought the thought that Solstice looked almost animalistic and focused instead on the gentleness of his voice. “You can zip up your jacket, my dear, I don’t want you to freeze.”

Aaaahhh! Very werewolf-like. Indeed. I can see it be an apt metaphor for Solstice and his condition. The style and grace of the Sombra persona feeling more like a vampire, but the challenge of having something deep inside of you changing and turning you into a monster is something all too familiar for Sunset. The human realm has its own myths and legends, but she likely experienced so many of those myths made real back in Equestria. And, having dressed up like one for Halloween partly being the reason for her perceiving him this way. Or maybe its more of a Jekyll and Hyde thing.

“Tcht. No, see, I’d be offended. It’s kind of my look, so...” She gestured down to her open leather jacket in open rebellion.

Sunset’s willing to freeze before changing her look? Rarity will be so proud. Or disappointed since she could probably make it still warm while being fashionable.

Still, it’s a nice touch – Sunset’s here in her first counselling appointment, where it’s supposed to be a safe space to let yourself be comfortable enough to be honest with yourself and your feelings and the like. Where you can take off that figurative armour, literal in the case of Sunset and her rebellious identity, also being rebellious to the idea of counselling.

“Oh! Yes, that has to be frightfully frigid.”

I don’t like the implied tone here. Yes, the weather inside is frightful, but the other side of Sombra is so very much ALSO frightful. Maybe though, the fire inside that Solstice sets for the students’ souls will be so delightful.

She drank him in in full. It helped her own nerves to see the big bad opponent she was up against wore loafers like he was late for church service, wore his button-down not quite tucked into his belted slacks, and smelled like a coffee shop if it also used a wood stove. “Huh. You actually can’t feel cold?”

The BIG BAD… Churchgoer? More like wolf in sheep’s clothing. With Solstice being like that, it must’ve done both Flash and Timber a lot of good. A safe haven in a cold cold blizzard who emanates the woodsy-ness the latter likes, but speaks so very kindly, as the former would appreciate.

“Heaven knows the central heating could use an upgrade with me around to challenge it, but well. Public school.”

Okay so they can afford the special sports stuff but not heating?! I well… yeah no, that tracks.

But Solstice caught that. “Really, are you sure about your jacket? I wouldn’t want you to catch a cold in my office, I’d never forgive myself.” Sunset’s eyes went for a spin. “Think I’ll find a way to survive your office.”

laughing nervously

Solstice paused long enough to stare at her jacket’s zipper, as if tempted to zip it up himself. If he had telepathy or the sheer force of will, all bets might have been off. With the steam still billowing off his demonic eyes, he looked much angrier about it than he probably actually was. Or maybe it really did vex him that much, Sunset couldn’t say.

Combining the concerned pseudo-parent and rebellious teenager is a recipe for a glorious disaster named Sombra as he feeds on the anger from feeling a lack of control (or what I thought was anger, but is actually fear for her well-being).

Either way, he moved toward the kettle and basket of cookies. “Alright, it’s your decision. But speaking of dire choices: Can I at least get you anything? A hot beverage to keep warm?

Nothing like a hot beverage! Although I think that there should be a better word to define hot beverages than just “hot beverage”. I’ve been trying to get “café drinks” going here and there, but in this day and age? That can mean anything.

Sunset doubted the school counsellor would readily give her access to the type of beverage she really wanted to get through this. Fire down the throat always kept her warm, in a manner of speaking (especially if it was Nectar of the Gods, Sunset’s favourite Equestrian liquor; she’d never forget sneaking her first taste from the pools of Mount Olympus while on diplomatic missions with the Princess. Good times). She shifted on the plump couch cushion. “Tea’s good, if you have any. Camelmile?”

Who wouldn't want some Nectar of the Gods? I'm sure there'll be some at the coronation.

Whenever Sunset had an upset stomach⁠—her codeword for nervousness or feeling upset, honestly⁠—as a filly, Princess Celestia brewed her excellent tea. Trottingham chai, Zebrafrican rooibos, even a nice Griffonstonian oolong after a long day. It got to the point the sound of the kettle boiling in the hearth was enough to ease any irritation.

Just like 'mom' used to make~

Nodding, Solstice smiled around his own shoulder, back at her, setting up the mugs, not unlike a bartender.

Ah yes, the bartender, discount therapist!

His little wooden stirring stick whisked the cup in an erratic fashion. “Warping the minds of the youth with their overpriced... cake coffee. Oh, it sounds delicious, but what you’ve really gone and done is ruined a perfectly good pot of coffee and convinced swarms of innocent teenagers they’ve bought themselves a luxury item!”

He grumbled more into his own mug as he sipped to avoid an overflow before realizing; he swallowed his mutterings down with his coffee. “I have… a lot of feelings about beverages. Wine especially. But I suppose the point was that it’s nice to know I’m not the only ex-career student here.”

Recently I’ve come to appreciate whisky. I enjoyed it before, sure, but now I understand that among the connoisseurs, the best whisky is the one you like, and that includes whiskey ;)

But that does bring me to another observation – Sunset mentioned alcohol in her head before Solstice said it out loud. Foreshadowing about getting in her head? Or is it another point about how much they actually have in common?

It’s wild seeing how much coffee has really taken off though. I see a lot of similarities between wine and coffee connoisseurs. The sheer difference in variety of tastes based on where it’s grown and the conditions that gave rise to it – it’s terroir - and how it’s processed or even what you add to it in each minuscule amount.

Each student technically is a product of their own terroir. Even though the students are all different, they’re also similar in so many ways – that’s why they can empathize with each other despite those different experiences. But of course, with a unique terroir, it’ll get harder and harder to have an accurate read on knowing how someone else is feeling. As a geographer once said, "everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things." People who grew up in one place have much more in common than someone from a different place depending on what's available to them: the culture there, foods available, cost of things in the community, etc. But the processing of the coffee bean or the wine changes that too! As it goes through its life cycle, it started out somewhere, like all its neighbours, but slowly changed along the way as new experiences shaped it, and shaped the person.

And that’s why its important for someone like Solstice to be there. He talks to them and gets into the finer notes and details of people, even with the added sugar. His comment about cake coffee makes me believe he dislikes it because he dislikes how the uniqueness of each cup getting drowned out and taken away by fads among teens, making it harder for them to be open and honest with each other if all they're concerned with is the fad. Cause if you're not open and honest, how can you have an open and honest relationship with one another? With Sunset’s “look”, she’s dressed up like a mocha and refuses to let him or anyone else really know the core of what’s there. All that sugar added drowns out what makes everyone unique and beautiful in their own way. Unless you're a coffee connoisseur among coffee connoisseurs.

That and he's worried about them being manipulated.

“That’s true. I apologize. I don’t know. Call it an educated guess, then,” he told her, carrying over her mug. “Maturity is usually hard-won, much like degrees and education. Or forgiveness.” Solstice offered a smile as he gave her the drink. “Your friends speak very highly of you, Sunset. Your story is something of a legend around here. You are.”

Well at least Sunset has the forgiveness thing under her belt. The former she could get no problem! Just gotta figure out what that will be.

 “…I don’t do well with heights, not a fan.”

I anticipate foreshadowing here.

Would it be dramatic to say I’ve got a fear phobia? Sunset thought. “I’ve got a fear phobia. Only thing I fear is fear itself, you know? So if you’re wondering about your eyes, it’s cool, don’t worry about it. I’m not afraid of you.”

Sombra likes to be dramatic and uses fear as his primary weapon. If he’s not fear itself, then I don’t know what is for ya, Sunny.

“I’ll do my best to help you achieve that, then.” Solstice handed her a waiver of some sort, complete with clipboard and pen. “Everything you say here is completely confidential. The only exceptions to that are if I’m required to disclose case-relevant details in a court of law, or, and this is important, if you pose an immediate danger to yourself or others. At which point, I would contact the proper authorities for safety reasons.”

…

The authorities? Celestia, Flash’s dad would kill me if he knew I planned to leave Flash behind again. If Chief Magnus murders me, Flash might find out I’m leaving and try to stop me. “No.”

Including this part so specifically, leads me to believe the reason is twofold:

1. Our most glorious author, Marvel Prime, is presenting the reader with an accurate portrayal of the processes of going to therapy, based on her own knowledge and experience. This in turn, is also useful to anyone reading this in terms of knowing what to expect if they go in.

2. Foreshadowing. The callback back to good ol Detective Daddy-o, Flash Magnus, who probably has a case on her, and just needs a little bit more to bring it to court. The other element of “this is important”, is not just for her, but for the reader to remember. Because she gets body swapped again, she will ultimately pose said immediate danger to herself and others. Also, who knows if “proper authorities” can actually mean Princess Twilight and the crew bringing in some magic-ass kickin’. Seems like the proper authority to me.

Not that she had any plans on re-terrorizing the school or putting everyone’s lives in danger, but Sunset could almost hear the cell-doors clanking shut in front of her.

Wonderfully brought together with the art right in this section too! The shadow of the blinds making it look all too much like cell-doors. Signing her name? Signing her confession…. DUN DUN DUUUN.

“Oh-ho, no. Nope. We’re not doing this, no,” Sunset said, arms barred across her chest like a luxurious stay at the Tartarus Juvenile Detention Centre. “I’m not here to talk about me, I’m here to help my friends change back.”

And prison references continue! It all comes back together. All the Greek mythology references, combined with the justice system, coming together into that – the Tartarus Juvenile Detention Centre being the reason for the references and how this all feels, that she’s ultimately a bad friend and bad person, even if she’s not going to terrorize the school again not that she’ll have any say in that though. But also this whole thing could just be in of itself another way to foreshadow just that. Either way, she’s venturing through Hades to save her friends, but is willing to stay there if it means making things right.

Y’know it also kinda feels like Solstice is gonna pull out the ol’ Rorschach tests.

“Tell me what you see?”

Sunset proceeds to see either her kissing Twi, her strangling Timber, or Celestia disappointed in her.

Arms crossed. Sunset took in air just to sigh it back out like sand dragged back into the sea.

AND IT STILL MAKES YOUR FEET GRAINY. THERE’S ALWAYS A LIL BIT LEFT BEHIND IN YOUR SANDAL.

And a stop to say it’s lovely seeing this second picture right after. Solstice just across from the ‘imprisoned’ Sunset, showing the source of the cell-door imagery. Again, I’m no artist, but I feel like there’s a number of contrasts and comparisons to be seen here.

First, I’ll admit I don’t know what that thing is in the right side of the first pic and left side of the second pic. BUT It does connect the two – the way its coloured and the angle it’s on.

Second, the difference in line styling with each picture – the one feat. Sunset is softer, more rounded, wavy, especially when the shadow-prison-bars hit Sunset herself. Notably, the only parts of Solstice that are rounded are the two that are most influenced by Sombra.

Third, the way these two come together. It’s literally shadow prison bars. AND that’s what curves around Sunset. Her tea’s steam curves and is reminiscent of her hair, but curves towards Solstice. The parts of Solstice influenced by Sombra are his hair and his breath. They’re mimicking her – again a sort of foreshadowing, and also almost soul-like (yes I'm thinking Danny Phantom). Oh yeah also it’s like, half his face literally covered in shadow too. But not just any shadow, a shadow that reflects the Yin-Yang symbol – the darkness in the light, and the light in the darkness.

“Yes, precisely!” He leaned forward to the edge of his seat. “But the exact effect is dependent on you! Anyone can feel love for their friends, or joy, anger, fear—really, I believe you’re right, the intensity of your emotions correlates to the intensity of your magic. But if the power comes from you directly, it’s also my belief that exactly how it manifests is related to your individual psychology. Who you are, what those emotions mean to you personally.”

Okay, don’t like how he ended on fear there. Can’t take this fore-shadow-ing.

If Solstice’s individual personality affects how his magic manifests, does that mean his initial fear, perhaps fear of his father, helped make it what it is now? Would his guilt manifest differently, since that seems to be strong with him? Or maybe guilt is simply the aftermath of fear having been realized.

A stupid giggle bubbled to the surface. “I’ve had theories for years,” Solstice near-squealed, his eyes flickering back to their regular green, if only momentarily, and back again. “It wasn’t until I came here to help you students that I had any way of observing other samples besides myself! And the most marvelous part is I may have guided the students towards the answers, but they’re the ones to figure it out! And now they can learn to harness those powers for good! Emotional therapy meets magical theory!”

And here we see an example of it all playing out. Sunset mentioned acting as your true self as a form of creating strong emotions – and Solstice is no longer acting. He’s never had the chance to actually be his true self until an opportunity like this presented itself. He’s always had to act on stage, act a certain way in front of his dad, find this niche interest and be unable to share it, and he’s had to act like everything’s okay in order to not induce anxiety in anyone else, which would make him feel worse. He’s had to filter and mute himself. And thus, him acting as his true self allows him to regain control of his whole, true self back from Sombra. Allows him to be powered by magic through something stronger than fear. For now.

And that's the end of Part 1 of this chapter's commentary!

[ultra-francesca-mercury]

may 25 , 1990

ZZ Top appear in Back to the Future Part III, playing an Old West-themed rendition of their #1 rock hit "Doubleback" when Marty McFly travels to 1885 to rescue Doc Brown. The regular version plays over the closing credits. Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers also reprises his role as Marty's nemesis Needles.

[igazikutya]

Zajok a nappaliból – Traxelektor 2023. 09.

Kedves olvasó! Bocsánatod kérem, de az eltelt időszak történései, irama és sűrűsége nem tette lehetővé, hogy zenei asszociációkon elmélkedjek egy mikroblog kedvéért, pláne, hogy ezeket a gondolatokat lejegyzeteljem. Így most: nincsenek szavak.

Megjelenések:

Arnold Dreyblatt & The Orchestra of Excited Strings - Resolve [2023, Drag City][LP]

Deena Abdelwahed - Jbal Rrsas [2023, Infiné][LP]

Kasper Bjorke & Cooper Saver - Junctures [2023, Live At Robert Johnson][S]

Kim Oxlund - Very Special Things [2023, Hotham Sound][MC]

offspot data: Very Special Things LP

Laurel Halo - Atlas [2023, Awe][LP]

Low End Activist - Gossip Is the Devil’s Radio [2023, ESP Institute][EP]

Mouse on Mars - Bilk [2023, Sonig][EP]

offspot data: BILK (bandcamp)

O Yuki Conjugate - A Tension of Opposites Vols. 3 & 4 [2023, OYC Limited][LP]

Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement - Killer Whale Atmospheres [2023, Hospital Productions][LP]

Terrain - Corners [2023, Varmal][EP]

Various Artists - Point E [2023, On Board Music][EP-Comp]

Various Artists - Unseen Series III [2023, Analogical Force][EP-Comp]

Void - REM [2023, Agos][LP]

Traxelektor 2023 09 Spotify playlist - link

(66/75, 7:09/8:23, 88%)

Traxelektor Playlist 2023 09

Adam Pits - Gadget Crew [Gadget Crew, Constant Sound] Ancient Plastix - Daydream Research [II, Maple Death] Ancient Plastix - Museum Of Barbed Wire [II, Maple Death] Anoesis - Trash Man Broken [Frame Jack 1, Krankq] Anthony Linell - Advanced Spiritual Evolution [Advanced Transcendent Evolution, Northern Electronics] Anthony Linell - All at the Same Time [Advanced Transcendent Evolution, Northern Electronics]

Arnold Dreyblatt & The Orchestra of Excited Strings – Container [Resolve, Drag City] Arnold Dreyblatt & The Orchestra of Excited Strings - Shuffle Effect [Resolve, Drag City] ASC & Semblance - Impulse [Point E, On Board Music] Barker - Golden Hammer [Unfixed, Smalltown Supersound] Barker - Wick and Wax [Unfixed, Smalltown Supersound] Blevin Blectum - Nocturn (Planetfall Edit, Psaltriparus Minimus Maximus Mix)[Omnii, Deathbomb Arc] Blevin Blectum - Soft Death (Afresymegol)[Omnii, Deathbomb Arc] Ciel - Scenes from a Marriage [Orlando, !K7] Coco Bryce - Yallah [My Space, PRSPCT] CZN - Year of the Rat [SSS, Trilogy Tapes] Deena Abdelwahed - Each Day [Jbal Rrsas, Infiné] Deena Abdelwahed - Six as Oil [Jbal Rrsas, Infiné] Dom & Roland - Burn Bright [Burn Bright / Being, Individual] Flower Storm - The Evil Tyrant Has Been Captured [YEK, Flower Storm] Flower Storm - This Is My Court [YEK, Flower Storm]

Ishq - A Soft Breeze at 4AM [Hillside Harmonies, Ishq] JK Flesh - NOT YOUR DUB [NO EXITS, Avalanche] Kasper Bjorke & Cooper Saver - 02 47 AM (Original Mix)[Junctures, Live At Robert Johnson] Kasper Bjorke & Cooper Saver - 06 13 AM (Original Mix)[Junctures, Live At Robert Johnson] Kim David Bots - Die Trommel, Der Trum [Oostwestkruisbest, South of North] Kim Oxlund - Hours in a Day [Very Special Things, Hotham Sound] Kim Oxlund - How Long Does It Last [Very Special Things, Hotham Sound] Kim Oxlund - Older Than the Sea [Very Special Things, Hotham Sound] Laurel Halo feat. Lucy Railton & James Underwood - Late Night Drive [Atlas, Awe] Loraine James - Gentle Confrontation [Gentle Confrontation, Hyperdub] Loraine James - I'm Trying To Love Myself [Gentle Confrontation, Hyperdub] Loraine James - Tired of Me [Gentle Confrontation, Hyperdub]

Low End Activist - G.E.L. [Gossip Is the Devil’s Radio, ESP Institute] Low End Activist - Perpetual Conflict [Gossip Is the Devil’s Radio, ESP Institute] Mouse on Mars - Bilk A3 [Bilk, Sonig] Mouse on Mars - Bilk B1 [Bilk, Sonig] Na Nich x Vera Logdanidi - Journey [Point D, On Board Music] Nuversion - Impression [Point E, On Board Music] O Yuki Conjugate - A Change of Heart [A Tension of Opposites Vols. 3 & 4, OYC Limited] O Yuki Conjugate - Deep Head Scene [A Tension of Opposites Vols. 3 & 4, OYC Limited] O Yuki Conjugate - Doubleback [A Tension of Opposites Vols. 3 & 4, OYC Limited] Om Unit - Acid Tempo (Tapes Remix)[Acid Dub Versions II, Self-Released] Om Unit & Dego Rankin - Bristol Theme (V.I.V.E.K Remix)[Acid Dub Versions II, Self-Released] Polygonia - Meteor Storm [Tales Of The Nocturnal Sky, Monument] Polygonia - Veluo [Point E, On Board Music] Purelink - Stadium Drive [Signs, Peak Oil] Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement - Darkening Rain (Killer Whale Atmospheres) For Phillipe [Killer Whale Atmospheres, Hospital Productions] Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement - Grown In The Shade Of The Glacier [Killer Whale Atmospheres, Hospital Productions] Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement - Violent Spirit Looking Forever Out To Sea [Killer Whale Atmospheres, Hospital Productions] Shackleton & Waclaw Zimpel feat. Siddhartha Belmannu - Your Love Pours Like Water [In The Cell Of Dreams, 7k!] Shinedoe - So It Is (Lawrence Remix)[Freedom Riders Remixes, Music That Moves] sin:it:sin - Suburban Electro (Original Mix)[False Transmitter, Electro Music Coalition] sin:it:sin - The Future Is Not Yours (Original Mix)[False Transmitter, Electro Music Coalition] sin:it:sin - You'll Be Back (Original Mix)[False Transmitter, Electro Music Coalition] Sockethead - I'm Losing My Fingers [Drenched Worlds Fall Apart, Youth] Terrain - Blind Spot [Corners, Varmal] Terrain - Corners [Corners, Varmal] Terrain - Vintage [Corners, Varmal] The Chemical Brothers - Feels Like I Am Dreaming [For That Beautiful Feeling, Virgin] Timothy J. Fairplay - Aerial Phenomena [Why Are They Here, ARCHAIC FUTURE SOUNDS] Timothy J. Fairplay - Seabrook's Dream [Why Are They Here, ARCHAIC FUTURE SOUNDS] Unhuman & Petra Flurr - No Excitement [Mala Vida, Bite] Unhuman & Petra Flurr - Rush [Mala Vida, Bite] Unhuman & Petra Flurr feat. Garden Krist - Short Life [Mala Vida, Bite] Unknown - Lonely Objects [Unseen Series III, Analogical Force] Unknown - Phases [Unseen Series III, Analogical Force] Versalife - Ghosting [Genetic Cluster, Natural Selection] Versalife - Overclock [Genetic Cluster, Natural Selection] Void - Circadian Rhythm [REM, Agos] Void - Midnight [REM, Agos] Void & Materia - Adenosine [REM, Agos] Vril - Animist [Animist, Delsin] Vril - Kuru [Animist, Delsin] Vril - Terraformink [Animist, Delsin]

[brontesim]

Shoutout to anyone who says "September" when it is in fact October now, and you don't even doubleback to correct yourself

In time travel movies, when the time traveler asks 'What year is this?!?' they're always treated like they're being weird for asking.

When in reality, if you go 'What year is this?!?' people will just say '2024. Crazy huh.' and you go 'Wtf where has my youth gone.'

And if you ask 'And what month??' people won't judge you, they'll just go like 'SEPTEMBER!!! Can you believe it?!?!' and you go 'WHAT?!? Last time I checked we were in May?!?'

[duranduratulsa]

Up next on my 90's Fest Movie 🎬 🎞 🎥 🎦 📽 marathon...Back To The Future Part III (1990) on glorious vintage VHS 📼! #Movie #movies #scifi #actionadventure #backtothefuture #BackToTheFutureIII #michaeljfox #christopherlloyd #leathompson #ThomasFWilson #MarySteenburgen #elisabthshue #flea #JamesTolkan #dubtaylor #harrycareyjr #jjcohen #marcmcclure #rickydeanlogan #toddcameronbrown #kalebhenley #donovanscott #zztop #vintage #VHS #90s #90sfest #durandurantulsas4thannual90sfest

[juneneysh]

just call ms doubleback fuck it 🙂‍↔️🤷‍♀️😂

[miawhen]

gestalt

l’m trying to get out of my comfort zone a little bit songwriting-wise

“and slow day— spaces bleed into another. face to face, say hi, say bye, come back. painless— heart hits hard— not as bad as if it’s happening. say, ‘l can’t feel, l can’t’. and god only knows what is meant by the words that are said, but for now, l get yours and you get mine. l’m prying the Way out of trying; for now, just know l get the gist if you get this.

heyday— stay to play your favorite station. say, ‘if it is l’m bowing out’. stasis— stay, sit down— doubleback, l’m going out again. say, ‘l don’t know, l don’t’. and god only knows what is meant by the words that are said, but for now, l get yours and you get mine. l’m prying the Way out of trying; for now, just know l get the jist if you get this.

and god only knows what is meant by the words that are said, but for now, l get yours and you get mine. l’m prying the Way out of trying; for now, just know l get the jist if you get this.”

[beestungmag]

TONIGHT! Sundress Publications is pleased to announce that the readers for our 2024 AWP off-site journals reading, which include beestung, Rogue Agent, Doubleback Review, and The Wardrobe! https://sundressblog.com/2024/01/28/2024-awp-journals-off-site-reading/

[candacehughes]

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